Classics
Read Classics Classics in English
6,942 classics books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best classics classics to read in English as a learner?
The best classics classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Émile Zola, Novelist and Reformer: An Account of His Life & Work, Æschylos Tragedies and Fragments and Âmona; The Child; And The Beast; And Others: From "The Strange Adventure of James Shervinton, and Other Stories" - 1902. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
- 6,942
- books
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 03Dive into a vast treasury of timeless wisdom and storytelling, featuring reflections, fables, poems, and essays from legendary authors and thinkers across history.
Level C2ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 02Explore timeless wisdom and epic tales spanning cultures and centuries, from ancient Greek philosophy to Arabian Nights, through insightful essays and legendary stories that illumi…
Level C1ClassicsLibrary of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 01Dive into a vast collection spanning all times and cultures, where expertly curated essays and selections reveal the evolution of human thought and literature.
Level C1ClassicsLha Dhu; Or, The Dark Day: The Works of William Carleton, Volume TwoNestled in a serene Irish valley, a tranquil village hides stories of joy and sorrow woven into its peaceful landscape.
Level B2ClassicsLewis Carroll in Wonderland and at Home: The Story of His LifeDiscover the enchanting life behind the creator of Wonderland, tracing his journey from a curious boy in a quiet English village to the imaginative storyteller who transformed chil…
Level B2ClassicsLewis Arundel; Or, The Railroad Of LifeJourney alongside Lewis Arundel as he departs home in a whirlwind of temper and adventure, encountering war, romance, and unexpected discoveries on the railroad of life.
Level B2ClassicsLewie; Or, The Bended TwigA mother’s desperate prayers bring a beloved child back to life, but indulgence breeds a tempestuous temper and tragic consequences.
Level C1ClassicsLetticeIn a sunlit Spanish village, young Lettice struggles to hold back tears as she faces her mother's fragile health and the quiet sorrow that grips her family, revealing a tender stor…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to his wife Mary BorrowTravel through 19th-century Europe as a weary yet curious husband writes heartfelt letters to his wife, sharing vivid accounts of quarantine, historic cities, wild landscapes, and…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to his mother, Ann Borrow, and other correspondentsExperience the vivid journeys and heartfelt correspondence of a traveler navigating cultural conflicts, linguistic curiosities, and distant lands, all while longing for home and co…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to an UnknownA man of sharp irony and self-control navigates society and official duties with a calm detachment, masking a keen intellect and critical eye.
Level C2ClassicsLetters to Severall Persons of HonourExplore a collection of eloquent, heartfelt letters addressed to noble recipients, blending spiritual reflection and personal devotion amid the backdrop of 17th-century London’s st…
Level C1ClassicsLetters to Madame Hanska, born Countess Rzewuska, afterwards Madame Honoré de Balzac, 1833-1846A passionate exchange unfolds between a rising literary star and a mysterious countess, revealing the intimate letters that chart their evolving connection over thirteen years.
Level B2ClassicsLetters of the Motor GirlA spirited fourteen-year-old girl discovers the thrill of driving a Franklin motor car in 1905, navigating lessons, family antics, and her own fierce independence in a charming wor…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Two BridesTwo young women escape convent life to explore freedom, love, and friendship through heartfelt letters, revealing their inner struggles and dreams against the backdrop of Parisian…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. 2 (of 2)Dive into intimate letters revealing the trials, friendships, and philosophical reflections of a poet recovering from illness, as he contemplates the nature of happiness, virtue, a…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Vol. 1 (of 2)Explore the intimate and unpublished correspondence of a towering Romantic poet, revealing his friendships, struggles, and literary life through letters to family, friends, and fel…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Peregrine PickleDive into the lively social whirl of post-Civil War Chicago, where parties, gossip, and colorful characters like Old Blobbs and young Boosey reveal a spirited, sometimes wild, wint…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of John Keats to His Family and FriendsExperience the intimate world of a young poet whose letters reveal his passionate spirit, creative struggles, and heartfelt connections with family and friends, capturing moments o…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of John Keats to Fanny Brawne: Written in the years MDCCCXIX and MDCCCXX and now given from the original manuscriptsExperience the intimate letters revealing the poet’s passionate love and torment during his final years, offering a vivid glimpse into the heart and soul behind his greatest works…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Horace Walpole — Volume IIDive into a vivid collection of 18th-century letters revealing the cultural, political, and social intrigues of England and France—from court scandals and literary debates to revol…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Horace Walpole — Volume IDive into a vivid collection of letters revealing 18th-century life, politics, and culture—from royal weddings and battles to art and personal reflections—offering an intimate glim…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of George Borrow to the British and Foreign Bible SocietyAn intrepid linguist immerses himself in the challenges of translating sacred texts into Mandchou and Gypsy dialects, navigating cultural nuances and linguistic puzzles with passio…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 2Explore intimate letters revealing a 19th-century scholar's struggles with ambition, loss, and his passion for Persian poetry and translation.
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald, in Two Volumes. Vol. 1Discover the intimate world of a gentle, witty literary figure through his heartfelt letters, revealing friendships, reflections, and the quiet humor that shaped his life beyond hi…
Level C1ClassicsLetters of Edward FitzGerald to Fanny Kemble (1871-1883)A series of candid letters reveals the intimate friendship between Edward FitzGerald and Fanny Kemble, sharing reflections on life, literature, and personal moments from 1871 to 18…
ClassicsLetters of Anton Chekhov to His Family and FriendsExplore the intimate correspondence revealing the life, character, and thoughts of a literary genius through letters to family and friends, tracing his journey from humble origins…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from the Raven: Correspondence of L. Hearn with Henry WatkinDelve into the intimate correspondence revealing a sensitive writer's struggles with failing sight, his deep fascination with Japan’s culture, and his spiritual journey blending Bu…
Level B2ClassicsLetters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son: Being the Letters written by John Graham, Head of the House of Graham & Company, Pork-Packers in Chicago, familiarly known on 'Change as "Old Gorgon Graham," to his Son, Pierrepont, facetiously known to his intimates as "Piggy."A tough Chicago pork-packer writes candid letters to his Harvard-educated son, mixing blunt business advice with fatherly wisdom to prepare him for the realities of work and life b…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from a Landscape PainterJourney through tranquil American landscapes and heartfelt reflections as a landscape painter shares intimate letters capturing nature’s beauty and the quiet joys of life, inviting…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from Switzerland and Travels in ItalyJourney through majestic landscapes and ponder the elusive nature of freedom and human longing as a traveler reflects on Switzerland’s rugged beauty and the yearning to transcend e…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 3 (of 3)Explore the turbulent history and impact of Bible translations in England, from Wickliffe’s controversial work to the fiery trials of Henry VIII’s era, revealing how scripture shap…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from England, Volume 1 (of 3)A foreign traveler arrives in England, offering vivid, firsthand letters that reveal the daily life, customs, and landscapes of the English with keen observation and a candid, impa…
Level C1ClassicsLetters from AmericaEmbark on a vivid journey through early 20th-century America, Canada, and the South Seas, captured in intimate letters that reveal the landscapes, people, and poetic reflections of…
Level C1ClassicsLetters Written During a Short Residence in Sweden, Norway, and DenmarkExplore a vivid journey through Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, where personal letters reveal intimate reflections on friendship, resilience, and the challenges of a woman forging her…
Level C1ClassicsLessons in the Shanghai DialectExplore the rich heritage of the Shanghai Dialect, a language spoken by millions and deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture.
Level B2ClassicsLessons in Life, for All Who Will Read ThemA newly purchased farm hides a hidden right of way, sparking a clash between neighbors over land and respect.
Level C1ClassicsLess than kinAmid the glittering social scenes and whispered judgments of the opera house, a young woman balances loyalty to her ailing uncle with the pressing demands of love and ambition, nav…
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 2 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a world of secret passions and calculated deceptions, a tormented lover pleads for truth and connection while others grapple with betrayal and heartbreak.
Level C1ClassicsLes liaisons dangereuses, volume 1 (of 2): or, Letters collected in a private society and published for the instruction of othersIn a scandalous web of seduction and deceit, a collection of intimate letters reveals the manipulative games of a corrupt French aristocracy, exposing the dark passions and moral d…
Level C1ClassicsLes Bijoux Indiscrets, or, The Indiscreet ToysIn a vibrant African kingdom, the birth of Prince Mangogul stirs curiosity and superstition as a skeptical soothsayer grapples with predicting his fate.
Level C1ClassicsLeonore StubbsA daughter’s marriage to a wealthy man turns to ruin when his fortune disappears, leaving her destitute and her family torn between pride and despair.
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraA woman trapped by society's harsh constraints reveals her painful journey through love, marriage, and separation in candid letters that expose the tyranny of prejudice and the que…
Level C1ClassicsLeonoraIn the industrial heart of the Five Towns, Leonora, a proud and beautiful woman on the brink of forty, navigates the tensions of her marriage and the stark contrasts of her world,…
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 2 (of 2)In a noble household crumbling under disgrace and poverty, the Marquesa clings to faith and society’s rituals while secrets and scandals simmer beneath the surface.
Level C1ClassicsLeon Roch: A Romance, vol. 1 (of 2)A woman grapples with jealousy and childhood memories as she reads a heartfelt letter from Leon, unraveling a tale of youthful affection, misunderstandings, and sincere devotion th…
Level B2ClassicsLeilaLeila anxiously navigates mysterious illness and hidden tensions within a secluded villa, where distant trains echo and secrets linger in the shadows.
Level C1ClassicsLegends: Autobiographical SketchesA disgraced author wrestles with poverty, isolation, and conflicting beliefs while navigating the clash between naturalism and occultism in a small Swedish university town.